Oh no! Freddie’s transmission died in the middle of Lake Kentucky

Earlier, Freddie lost reverse. Now we lost the rest of Freddie’s transmission in the middle of Lake Kentucky!

Oh god, what now? We’d have to figure out some way to push the shantyboat. First we moved the ailing Freddie out of the way.

After Freddie’s transmission went out, we put Mr Johnson back in service to push the shantyboat. Mid-lake motor switch!

This is what piloting the shantyboat looks like now with Mr Johnson. Not ideal, but better than not having a motor at all. t is exhausting operating the tiller. Loud! Vibrations! Awkward position! Zero visibility! Recalls the first year of the project in which Mr Johnson was our only motor. Reminds me how very very grateful we were when we installed the Mercury and the steering system in the pilots cabin.

I’ll need to fix or replace the 20hp Merc which would be much cheaper here in TN or KY. But unfortunately I don’t have the money. The project funds have already dipped dangerously low.